Active Vibration Control Troubleshooting

General

The system manual is missing.

The system won’t turn on.

The TS and AVI systems require a 100 – 120 V power connection to operate. A power cord is included with each system. Connect the power cord to the input on the back of the system. Connect the three prong plug to a power outlet. Turn the system on by flipping the switch on the front.

If the system still fails to turn on or the power cord is missing, contact Herzan.

TS Series Back Panel DetailAVI Back Panel Detail

TS Series

The active isolation isn’t performing.

If you are seeing only passive isolation performance from the system, the active isolation component may not be performing. Check that the Isolation Active light (Item 5 in the illustration below) on the front menu is on and solid. If it is off, press the E button (Item 3 in the illustration below) to enable the active isolation.

If the Isolation Active light is blinking, it may be because there is unusually high volume of noise present which is overloading the system, such as someone tapping on the top of the system. Wait until the noise subsides and then re-check the system.

If the active isolation is enabled properly, but the active component isn’t performing, the system may not be sitting flush on the table or bench. Make sure the system does not rock when pressure is applied to the corners. If the system is rocking, adjust the leveling foot on the back right side of the system to make sure it is sitting flush.

Another reason the light may be blinking is the system may be overloaded. Scroll through the LCD menu to the Weight / Balance screen (see illustration below). If the system is poorly balanced, re-position the load on top to achieve balance. If this is impossible, you may need a system which offers higher load capacity.

For more information on these steps, refer to the TS Series manual on the Manuals page.

The system is creating noise when the active isolation is enabled.

The active isolation generates a cancellation signal to cancel incoming vibrations. When the system is not set up properly, this cancellation signal can manifest as noise that is audible or visible in images.

The system may not be sitting flush on the table or bench. Make sure the system does not rock when pressure is applied to the corners. If the system is rocking, adjust the leveling foot on the back right side of the system to make sure it is sitting flush.

Another reason the light may be blinking is that the system may be overloaded. Scroll through the LCD menu to the Weight / Balance screen (see illustration below). If the system is poorly balanced, re-position the load on top to achieve balance. If this is impossible, you may need a system which offers higher load capacity.

For more information on these steps, refer to the TS Series manual on the Manuals page.

The system is rigid and isn’t isolating.

The system may be locked down in transit mode. Using the LCD menu on the front, scroll down until you see ‘System Locked’. Press the enter key to unlock the system.

If this does not work, the system may be overloaded. Scroll through the LCD menu to the Weight / Balance screen. If the system is poorly balanced, re-position the load on top to achieve balance. If this is impossible, you may need a system which offers higher load capacity.

For more information on these steps, refer to the TS Series Manual on the Manuals page.

AVI Series

Adjusting the System for Load

The AVI modules require an adjustment to be made for the load on top. This must be done before the system can operate properly. This procedure is described below.

Remove AVI modules from box and packaging. Before placing, remove end plates using the 2 mm hex wrench. See Figure 2. NOTE: If the AVI modules and instrumentation will be placed inside an enclosure or in a location where it will be difficult to access the ends of the modules, Steps 2 through 8 will need to be done in a convenient and accessible location prior to final placement. Follow Steps 2 through 8 in an accessible location and then do Step 9.

Place the modules according to guidelines outlined above. Place mounting plate (if necessary) and instrumentation on top of the modules as it will be used.

Use 2 mm hex wrench (included) to remove end plates of modules.

Adjust the modules for the weight of the load. The modules are adjusted by using the 6 mm wrench (included) to adjust the tension on the support springs by turning the adjustment nuts. See Figure 4.

There should be a gap above and below the cross brace on each central column, allowing for approximately 2 mm of travel on each side. The adjustment nuts should be adjusted incrementally, adjusting each nut on each side by a few turns, then moving on to the other nut on that side, then moving on to the other side of the module, then moving on to the other module, turning each nut a few times. Work your way back to the original adjustment nut and continue adjusting, if necessary.

If the module is UNDER-LOADED (see Figure 5), you will have no gap ABOVE the cross brace, all the travel will be below the cross brace. You need to DECREASE the tension on the springs by moving the adjustment nut UP the screw. This is done by turning the wrench to the RIGHT. When the nut hits the rubber stopper, you have reached the end of the travel. Make sure all the support springs are fully decompressed on all sides. If you reach the end of the travel and the system is still under-loaded, you will need to load some dummy weight on top of the system.

If the module is OVER-LOADED (see Figure 3), you will have no gap BELOW the cross brace, all the travel will be above the cross brace. You need to INCREASE the tension on the springs by moving the adjustment nut DOWN the screw. This is done by turning the wrench to the LEFT. CAUTION: Do not turn the nut too far down the screw or you risk the nut coming off the screw, which will damage the system. There should be no more than 10 millimeters of exposed thread between the stopper and adjustment nut (see Figure 4). If you reach the end of travel, make sure all the support springs are fully compressed on all sides. If the system is still over-loaded, you will need to add additional modules.

Adjust until the central columns on both sides of each module have adequate travel. Test the travel by pushing down and releasing on each corner of the set-up. The module should bounce back without bottoming out or topping out. Replace end plates.

This entire process is also described on the Herzan YouTube page, which can be found below.

General Troubleshooting

Installation Checklist

FLATNESS: The AVI modules must be placed on a flat surface in order for the transducers to operate effectively. The floor flatness must be within 2 millimeters per meter. If your floor or mounting area is not within this specification, we recommend using a metal plate to support the module. Additionally, the surface that is placed ON TOP of the modules should be flat as well. For the modules to isolate effectively, the surface mounted on top must sit flush (without rocking) on top of the modules, spanning the width and length of the module top plates. If the load does not match these criteria, a metal mounting plate should be used

LEVEL: For the AVI modules to be adjusted properly, they need to be sitting on a level surface. Check the level of the floor or mounting area using a carpenter’s level. If the floor is not level, use a metal plate and shims to bring the area into level. If using a table, adjust the table’s leveling feet to make the mounting surface level.

ORIENTATION: The AVI modules should be placed parallel to one another. The modules should mirror each other, i.e. the D-Sub cable ports on each module should either be facing each other or both be facing away from each other.

STABILITY: The instrumentation set-up needs to have good stability in order for the modules to operate properly. As such, the isolation modules should be placed apart by a distance at least equal to the length of the isolation module. A rule of thumb is to move the modules as far outboard as possible, to increase the stability of the system.

BALANCE: Take care that the load is not too top-heavy. If the load is top-heavy, the modules should be spread further apart to support the load. The load should be distributed evenly across the modules and should not be over-loaded or under-loaded on any side. Contact Herzan if you are unsure about the load distribution of your system.

CABLES: All cables going to the isolation system and the equipment loaded on top should be slack. Taut cables will transmit parasitic vibration into the system. Cables connected to noise-generating equipment should be weighted.

Installation Troubleshooting

Verifying Performance

After the system has been installed, adjusted, and all cables have been connected, flip the power switch to ON. Press the small Enable button. After several seconds the yellow enable LED light should turn solid, indicating the system is isolating properly.

The red LED lights on the front of the controller are related to the sensors mounted in the modules. When a sensor is overloaded, the corresponding light turns on. These lights should come on when the system is turned on, but go off after the system is enabled and working properly. When stomping the ground or tapping the load lightly, the red lights on the controller should light up briefly and then go out.

If the LED lights are behaving abnormally (staying on, flashing, or coming on without stimulus), please re-check that all the items on the Installation Checklist (see above) have been followed. Check to make sure no cables or other objects are touching the isolation modules. Check to make sure that no cables running to instrumentation are stretched tight; cables should be slack.

If all of the above have been checked and lights are still behaving abnormally, please contact Herzan for support.